Educational software for children

Shop around
Since there’s quite a range of online stores from where you can buy software, you’ll have to shop around. A good bet is to start with the publishers’ websites. They often have demonstrations of the software, which you can either view online or download. And most publishers will offer you the chance to buy online as well – though again, you may have to shop around for the best prices. Here are some of the most well known:

• If you’re hunting for software on specific educational stages like SATs, GCSEs and A-levels, you’ll find a very clear guide at Europress, one of the largest educational software groups in Europe. Their programs are widely used and produced to very high standards – both technically and educationally. And as well as getting software demonstrations, screen shots and reviews, you’ll find information about the company, who it serves and how to order products.

• Granada is another publisher worth a look. Like Europress, it’s a large and renowned group providing software to 95% of British schools. Their website is a major educational resource, offering advice and guidance as well as several hundred software packages. Take a look at the demos – there aren’t too many – and follow the links to independent reviews. You’ll also find reviews from teachers and pupils, so you can suss out what ‘real users’ think about the programs.

• Letts Educational is part of the Granada Group, and is the market leader when it comes to revision guides for GCSE and A-level. You can buy their CD-Rom study aids on the Granada Learning site, which is definitely worth bookmarking.

• The Times newspaper is another useful resource. There are no online reviews, though, so all you can do here is browse through a catalogue and buy what you want.